In this special livestream replay, Fatimah Ali of Lupus in Community joins bone health educator Candy Price to discuss building strong bones while living with lupus and other chronic illnesses. They explore prednisone and bone-loss risk, vitamin D and sun safety, fatigue and rest, plus accessible strength, balance, and fall-prevention strategies.

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For educational only; not individualized medical advice.

Episode description

What happens to identity and self-confidence when illness changes the body?

In this episode, Fatimah Ali is joined by Dr. Harriette Richard—psychologist, researcher, and three-time breast cancer survivor—for an honest conversation about illness, body changes, grief, visibility, and rebuilding a sense of self.

Although their health journeys are different, Fatimah and Harriette share a familiar experience: learning how to navigate life when symptoms, scars, fatigue, mobility changes, treatment, or recovery affect how you see yourself—and how you believe others see you.

Together, they explore:

• The grief of the “old you”
• Living with visible and invisible illness
• Self-confidence after scars, body changes, and altered ability
• Isolation, uncertainty, and feeling disconnected from former roles
• Faith, grounding, and emotional resilience
• Creativity and self-expression during recovery
• Post-traumatic growth without minimizing pain
• Hope and purpose while living with lupus, cancer survivorship, or chronic illness

This episode is for anyone living with lupus, breast cancer, autoimmune disease, chronic illness, disability, or a health condition that has changed their relationship with their body and identity.

Illness may change the body, but it does not erase your worth, voice, purpose, or capacity to become.

Living Well, Not Perfectly with Autoimmune and Chronic Illness | Featuring Simla Somturk

What does it really mean to live well when your body doesn’t always cooperate?

In this episode of the Lupus in Community Podcast, Dr. Fatimah Ali speaks with holistic nutrition and health coach Simla Somturk about redefining wellness while living with autoimmune disease and chronic illness.

Together, they explore why wellness is not a fixed destination, but an evolving relationship with your body. They share personal experiences with lupus, autoimmune conditions, chronic fatigue, food sensitivities, and recovery, along with practical ways to support healing without chasing perfection.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:

• Why “living well” looks different in every season of chronic illness
• How to recognize progress beyond symptom-free days
• The role of nutrition, elimination diets, and bio-individuality
• The difference between nourishing your body and pursuing food perfection
• Orthorexia and the pressure to “do everything right”
• Managing stress, protecting sleep, and building sustainable habits
• Why comparison can undermine healing—and how listening to your body can restore confidence

Whether you’re living with lupus, another autoimmune disease, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers encouragement grounded in lived experience and science. Healing is rarely linear, but meaningful wellness is still possible.

Guest: Simla Somturk, Holistic Health & Nutrition Coach

Subscribe to Lupus in Community for more conversations that connect research, lived experience, and practical strategies for living well with chronic illness.